Tires are a crucial part of any trailer; they help take the strain off your vehicle’s brakes and transmission. For this reason, it’s critical to choose the right type of tire for your jet ski trailer. But what jet ski trailer tires should you choose?
You should choose winter tires for your jet ski trailer. The weight of the tires should handle the trailer’s load-carrying capacity and be narrow enough to exert more pressure on the ground for better traction and stability. Also, they should remain flexible at temperatures less than 45°F (7.22 °C).
This article will help you to determine which type of tire is best for your jet ski trailer. Read on for in-depth information on this, and insights into when to buy new tires.
What Is the Best Type of Tire for My Jet Ski Trailer?
Winter tires are the best type of tires for your jet ski trailer. Quality features of these tires include a deep tread depth, sharp, irregular edges, and textured surface to increase stability in snowy conditions.
Winter tires are the ideal type of tire for winter usage. They have more tread on them, are wider to increase stability, and usually have chunks of rubber that don’t fall off in cold temperatures.
For Jet Ski trailers, it’s best to go with a tire that remains flexible in temperatures below 45°F (7.22°C). These tires won’t break down when they get below freezing like some other types reduce the risk of an accident upon hitting black ice.
How To Select the Right Size and Weight of Tires for Your Trailer
You need to consider a few other things when choosing the right type of tires for your jet ski trailer. One is whether or not you should choose wide tires and what your maximum load capacity should be.
If you’re skiing in extreme temperatures, a general rule is to go with narrower tires since they provide a higher surface pressure against loose snow and slash. This results in more stability and balance, which are essential when on an icy surface.
To determine the correct tire weight for your jet ski trailer, you need to consider the trailer’s total weight when loaded and divide it by the number of tires it can accommodate.
For example, suppose the total weight is 2800 lbs (1,270.06 kg), and the trailer has a single axle (two tires). In that case, each tire should be at least 1400 lbs (635.03 kg).
However, if the trailer can accommodate four tires, then each tire should be at least 700 lbs (317.52 kg).
Why Should I Choose a Good Quality Tire?
You should choose a good quality tire for your jet ski trailer for improved traction and stability and to prevent an accident. Generally, cheap tires won’t last as long and are less safe than quality tires.
You should also pay attention to the tread on your trailer tires if you want them to last longer. These factors include:
- The depth of the tread. This helps when you’re in the snow because it’ll dig down into the top layer of snow and increase traction.
- The size of the tread. Bigger is better in this case since large treads have more biting edges to improve traction on different surfaces.
- The number of sipes in the tire pattern. Sipes are small slits cut across the tire to improve stability in extreme conditions. More sipes are better; however, they might overly reduce the life of the tire.
- The tire sidewall’s ability to flex with each footprint it makes on the road. This flexibility prevents excess wear and tear that can shorten the life of your tire.
Key Takeaway: The quality of your tire matters because it can be the difference between arriving at your destination safely and an accident due to unsafe tires.
When Do You Need New Trailer Tires?
Generally, your trailer’s load-carrying capacity, frequency of usage, and the age of the current set of tires will determine when to replace your tires.
You’ll need new trailer tires every 3-6 years or after 5,000-12,000 miles (8,046.72-19,312.13 km) as a rule of thumb. At that mileage, your trailer tires have been degraded by the road debris and won’t be as safe as a new tire.
In a nutshell, there are several reasons why you may need new trailer tires for your jet ski, including:
- A worn-down tread: These may not be safe to use anymore, especially in winter conditions where many roads are covered in ice and snow.
- A bulging sidewall: This can indicate a puncture or breach in the tire’s structural integrity that can’t be easily repaired.
- Excessive wear: This can result in a flat spot on the tire and affect the jet ski trailer’s stability.
That said, there are several ways to ensure you get the maximum durability out of your trailer’s tires, including:
- Inspect them regularly for signs of wear and tear. Anything that looks abnormal should be replaced immediately to avoid a severe accident.
- Rotate the tires regularly. This prevents tire wear from concentrating on a single area of the tire. You can rotate your tires at least twice a year or after 850 miles (1,367.94 km). This reduces the chance of developing flat spots on the tires, which can be dangerous if left unaddressed.
- Consider buying a spare. I recommend buying the LoadStar Wheel and Tire (available on Amazon.com). This ensures you’re never stuck at the side of the road in case one of your trailer’s tires gets damaged or punctured.
Here’s a YouTube video that explains how to reduce tire costs through effective maintenance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYDefTPBUYo
Bottom Line
When shopping for the best type of tires for your jet ski trailer, consider the season you’ll be using it in most often, how much weight your trailer can carry, whether or not you need wide tires, and good quality tires that won’t let you down.
Specifically, you should check the tires’ tread depth for winter travel, their sidewall flexing ability and sipe count for traction, and their circumference to determine whether they can handle the expected load capacity.
Finally, ensure you replace your tires every 3-6 years or after 5,000-12,000 miles (8,046.72-19,312.13 km).